Printed packaging

ABSTRACT

Printed packaging is provided which includes indicia printed on a packaging substrate. A barrier overlies the indicia and has a transparent window and a non-transparent section. The indicia may be viewed through the transparent window of the barrier.

[0001] The present invention relates to indicia that is printed onpackaging and a method of providing the printed indicia, typically wherethe indicia imparts information relating to a promotion.

[0002] The lure of promotional competitions and give-away prizes onpackaged foods and other consumables is sufficiently strong, promotershope, to increase sales in those products. The idea is to firstencourage consumers to buy the product then to confirm a prize win orloss.

[0003] To prevent consumers confirming the prize outcome before buyingthe product, the information that imparts a win or loss is usuallysealed inside the packaging along with the product. The information maycome in the form of a loose competition card, or may be an applicationaffixed to the inside of the packaging substrate or may be directlyprinted onto the packaging substrate.

[0004] Various techniques have been developed of incorporatingcompetition information into packaged products. The techniques vary instyle and manner of delivery according to the requirements of thecompetition and legislative standards.

[0005] For example, many countries have legislation or code that setsstandards for food packaging. Any part of a package that comes intodirect contact with food is required to be approved by the local foodauthority.

[0006] In Australia and New Zealand this authority is the Food StandardsAustralia New Zealand (FSANZ). In the United States it is the Food andDrug Administration (FDA) that regulates such matters.

[0007] Using products and processes that abide with local laws usuallyincreases the cost of producing the overall packaging. Possibly thegreatest objective for a packaging manufacturer is to keep down printingand material costs and increase through-put.

[0008] Promotional materials also differ in nature according topromotional requirements. In ‘scratch and match’ competitions cardshaving panels of a scratchable material require the user to scratch awaythe panels to reveal competition indicia lying underneath. These cardsare usually sealed in a plastic pouch.

[0009] Alternatively, the information may simply comprise a messageprinted directly onto the inside of the packaging.

[0010] With the present invention indicia is able to be printed onpackaging within set parameters and in an efficient and cost effectivemanner.

[0011] In one embodiment the present invention is printed packagingcomprising indicia printed on a packaging substrate; a barrier overlyingthe indicia, the barrier having a transparent window and anon-transparent section wherein the indicia may be viewed through thetransparent window of the barrier.

[0012] The indicia is preferably printed on the inside of a packagingsubstrate and information imparted by the indicia may be variable.

[0013] The barrier is preferably a plastic label membrane fixed to thepackaging substrate over the indicia with adhesive. Ideally the labelmembrane includes a transparent window and non-transparent pre-printedinformation, where the pre-printed information includes competitionconditions and directions for claiming a prize.

[0014] Preferably, the barrier is tamper evident in that the ink liftsoff the packaging substrate and/or the window discolours when thebarrier is tampered with.

[0015] The packaging substrate may be used for packaging food in whichcase the barrier material is preferably approved by local foodauthorities.

[0016] The ink used to print the indicia is preferably a fast dryingink.

[0017] The indicia is preferably randomly printed according to randomcoding software. In one embodiment the indicia reveal a competitionresult. Alternatively the indicia may reveal a code that can bedeciphered by external influences to indicate a competition result.

[0018] The packaging substrate is preferably made of plastic, paper,metal or a combination of these or other materials.

[0019] In another embodiment the invention is a method of providingprinted indicia on packaging including: printing indicia on a packagingsubstrate; and overlying indicia with a barrier having a transparentwindow and a non-transparent section, whereby the barrier is placed overthe indicia such that the indicia can be viewed through the transparentwindow on the label.

[0020] Preferably the method includes printing indicia on the inside ofthe packaging substrate and adhesively applying the barrier onto thepackaging substrate over the indicia. The method is ideally performed inone pass.

[0021] Information conveyed by the indicia may vary during printing.

[0022] Preferably the method uses an adhesive that, when the barrier islifted, will signify tampering of the barrier by showing discolourationof the transparent portion of the barrier that has been lifted.Furthermore, the ink used to print indicia may be of the type that willlift off the substrate if the label is lifted off the substrate.

[0023] The method may also include pre-printing information on anon-transparent section of the barrier adjacent a transparent window onthe label.

[0024] The packaging substrate may be of food grade and the barrierselected may be approved by the local food authority.

[0025] In yet another embodiment the invention is an apparatus forprinting on packaging comprising:

[0026] a dispensing substrate spool for supporting a roll of continuouspackaging substrate;

[0027] a take-up substrate spool for taking up a web of packagingsubstrate dispensed from the dispensing spool;

[0028] guide means between the dispensing spool and take-up spool toguide the web therebetween;

[0029] printing means to print indicia onto the substrate; and

[0030] a label carrier and dispenser for dispensing labels onto thesubstrate, the labels having a transparent window and a non-transparentsection, wherein the apparatus is timed by use of sensors to dispensethe labels such that the transparent window overlies the printedindicia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention is described further by way of example withreference to the accompanying drawings of which:

[0032] FIGS. 1(a)-1(c) illustrate printed packaging according to oneembodiment of the invention at various stages in the printing process;

[0033]FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the process of printing thepackaging of FIG. 1;

[0034]FIG. 3 schematically illustrates one process of printing thepackaging and incorporating a prize;

[0035]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates another process of printing thepackaging and incorporating a prize; and

[0036]FIG. 5 schematically illustrates still another process of printingthe packaging and incorporating a prize.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0037] The figures illustrate printed packaging and a method andapparatus of providing printed indicia on packaging.

[0038]FIG. 1(c) illustrates a packaging substrate 10 with a competitionapplication 11 adhered to the side of the substrate 10 that when closedaround a product forms the inside 12 of the substrate.

[0039] The application 11 includes indicia 13 printed directly onto thesubstrate and a barrier 14 overlying the substrate. The barrier isadhesively fixed to the substrate.

[0040] As shown in the three stages of FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c) forming theapplication 11, the barrier 14 includes a transparent window 18 and anon-transparent pre-printed section 19. The barrier is positioned overthe indicia 13 so that the indicia is protected and can be viewedthrough the transparent window 18.

[0041] The barrier is typically a plastic label membrane and thepre-printed section in the preferred embodiment contains genericinformation.

[0042] In one embodiment of the invention the packaging substrate isused for packaging food. It is important in this case to ensure that allpackaging components that come into contact with the food abide by localfood packaging laws and pass standards set by food authorities.

[0043] While the substrate itself is obviously chosen from a selectionof food safe packaging materials, care must be taken to ensure that anyother components inside the sealed package also comply. This includespromotional labels, and encapsulation of ink.

[0044] In other embodiments of the invention the packaging substrate canbe used to package non-food grocery lines such as cleaning agents,fertiliser, personal products, etc.

[0045] Providing, in the case of packaging food, that the promotionallabel is made of a food approved material, the ink used need not beapproved because the label acts as a barrier between the ink and thefood product. The possibility of using either an approved ornon-approved ink broadens the selection of inks available to amanufacturer. A manufacturer is thus able to choose from inks possessinga wide range of properties and characteristics to better suit themanufacturer's production needs.

[0046] For example, solvent based inks may be preferred over aqueousbased inks in some applications. Solvent based inks are usually fasterto dry which allows a manufacturer to speed up the production process.

[0047] In the preferred embodiment the printed indicia on the packagingrelates to information regarding a promotional competition, typicallypromoted by the manufacturer of the packaged product.

[0048] However the information imparted by the indicia need notnecessarily relate to a competition. It could foreseeably pertain to asimple product promotion, to a promotional game, to a ‘collect andexchange’ promotional activity, match and win, or a combination ofpromotional elements.

[0049] In the case of an instant win competition the informationimparted by the indicia will at times vary during the production of theprinted packaging substrates.

[0050] For instance, in the large proportion of cases the messageprinted will advise the consumer that they have failed to win a prizeand to, perhaps, try again by participating in a second round draw. In asmall percentage of cases the indicia will indicate that a prize hasbeen won. Such variable messages are printed directly onto the substrateduring the application printing process.

[0051] To prevent theft of prize-winning packaging units at the time ofprinting the indicia is printed randomly using random coding software tocontrol the printing.

[0052] The random coding algorithm controls printing of pre-determinedalpha numeric indicia. For example, before commencing the print run itmay be determined that of 2 million participating packaging units, themessages on:

[0053] 10,000 will offer the consumer another of the same product (e.g.Chocolate bar) for free;

[0054] 2,500 will indicate an instant win of a third level prize;

[0055] 100 will indicate an instant win of a second lever prize; and

[0056] 1 will indicate an instant win of the grand prize.

[0057] The remaining packaging units will bear a message such as: “Tryagain in our second chance draw” or any other such message or symbol.

[0058] The message is viewed through the transparent window 18 on thelabel. The pre-printed section 19 on the label carries genericinformation that remains constant throughout the whole print run.

[0059] Such information can include: instructions on how to claim aprize; contact details for the second round draw; competition conditionsand terms; logos; etc. For instance, the indicia may be in the form of acode.

[0060] Generic instructions on the label provide the consumer with thetelephone number to ring or website address to visit in order todecipher the code and reveal if a prize has been won.

[0061] The label may not necessarily carry pre-printed information. Theinformation may instead be placed on the outside of the packaging.However, to reduce the cost and effort in altering the externalpackaging for a short-term promotion, manufacturers may prefer to placeall necessary promotional details on the label.

[0062] In one form the application is tamper evident. If an attempt ismade to lift the label and tamper with the indicia the transparentwindow will discolour and turn cloudy when the label is re-appliedmaking it apparent that tampering has occurred.

[0063] Additionally, the ink will lift off the substrate with the labelas the label is peeled back. This makes it difficult to interfere withthe indicia as the ink attaches to the adhesive under the label.

[0064] In another aspect of the packaging a gift or prize is includedbeneath the label. In this case the label need not be tamper evident.The prize will usually be a substantially flat item such as a card,transfer or the like. The prize may alternatively be attached on top ofthe label with adhesive and captured beneath a second label.

[0065] The printing process may occur in one pass or may include aseparate machine for each step. In the latter case production wouldinclude executing a first step on a first machine, transferring spoolsto a separate machine to execute a second step, and so on.

[0066]FIG. 2 illustrates an application machine 20 which prints indicia13 and applies a label membrane 14 over the indicia. In this case, thelabels already hold pre-printed generic competition information.

[0067] Label spool 21 contains a roll of pre-printed labels on a labelweb 26 with their adhesive side covered by a protective backing 27.Substrate spool 22 contains a roll of package substrate units that aretypically already provided on the outside of the packaging withpre-printed product information.

[0068] The spools roll forward in the direction of arrows A so that eachsubstrate unit on a substrate web 31 passes past print head 24. Indiciais sprayed by print head 24 onto the inside of each substrate unit. Itis also known to directly stamp the substrate with indicia.

[0069] As indicated earlier the information of the printed indicia isprinted randomly and will vary during the production of the packagingunits. The print head 24 is connected to a control unit (not shown)containing random coding software that controls the random nature of theprinting as well as the timing of the printing in response to sensors(not shown) that monitor the alignment of the substrate web 31 units andlabel web 26.

[0070] The substrate web continues to move towards a roller 25whereafter the substrate takes up alignment alongside label web 26. Asthe label web nears the substrate web 31 at an angle and curves aroundreturn plate 23 to wind the backing 27 back onto a take-up label spool30, the label membranes 14 detach from the backing 27 and attach to thesubstrate web 31.

[0071] The labels contact with the substrate such that the transparentwindow registers directly above the printed indicia. The packagingsubstrate is then conveyed to substrate take-up spool 32. The processproduces approximately 4.5 applications per second.

[0072] In the above example the labels adhesively attach to thepackaging substrates. In an alternate embodiment the labels may use heatsensitivity to attach in which case the process would include passingthe labels under a heat lamp or ultraviolet light.

[0073] Additionally, rather than conveying the labels facing down on abacking web, the labels could be conveyed with the adhesive side exposedsuch that the label web and the substrate web can be brought to almostcontact in quasi-parallel alignment and a simple transfer of the labelcan be effected.

[0074] FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate methods for providing printed indicia onpackaging and including prizes underneath label 14.

[0075]FIG. 3 illustrates the same components of an application machineas illustrated in FIG. 2 but with the extra step of inserting a prizebeneath the label. Prize spool 50 contains a roll of prizes provided ona web 51 and dispenses prizes 52 prior to the step of labels beingapplied to the substrate web 31. Accordingly, prizes 52 detach from web51 and attach onto substrate web 31. Further down the process line alabel 14 is then dispensed over each prize 52. Prizes 52 are carefullyaligned so as to not obscure or cover the printed indicia applied by aprint head 24 such that when label 14 is applied over the prize andindicia, the indicia is still visible through the transparent window onlabel 14. The end result is a packaging substrate having a label throughwhich printed indicia can be seen and which can be lifted to receive aprize. The prize may or may not be visible through a transparent portionof the label 14.

[0076]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of applying prizes onto web substrate 31 before application of label 14. In this embodimentthe prizes are stacked in a single cartridge 60 and a circular patchingunit 61 rotates to receive each prize at the top of its rotating cycleand by vacuum effect keeps each prize attached to the patching unit asit rotates towards web 31. When the prize has reached the bottom of therotating unit the vacuum force is released to release the prize. Theprize adheres to the substrate by virtue of a pre-applied adhesive layeron the prize.

[0077]FIG. 5 illustrates a similar embodiment using a cartridge 60 andpatching unit 6.1 but in this embodiment the prizes are not pre-appliedwith adhesive and instead a glue applicator 65 upstream of the patchingunit 61 applies a burst of glue on to which the prizes can adhere.

[0078] In the above preferred embodiments the application is provided onthe inside of the packaging substrate. However the described printingprocess could also be used on the packaging exterior. Because this meansthat a consumer would be able to view the indicia through thetransparent window on the label before purchase, an extra componentwould be required to cover the window.

[0079] The printed packaging described herein need not be used solelyfor promotional activities but may be used to impart any kind ofinformation. For example, the printed packaging can be used on theexterior of packaging to provide information about the contentscontained therein, ingredients, nutritional information, to identifyflavour and color of packaged product, and the like.

[0080] For example, the transparent window could be obscured by acardboard or plastic flap that is attached to the application byperforations. The flap could conceivably only be lifted by tearing theperforations to reveal the window, prize and indicia underneath. Theflap would, ideally, only be lifted after purchase.

[0081] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description ofthe invention, except where the context requires otherwise due toexpress language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” orvariations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusivesense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not topreclude the presence or addition of further features in variousembodiments of the invention.

[0082] It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of theinvention that many modifications may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
 1. Printed packagingcomprising indicia printed on a packaging substrate; a barrier overlyingthe indicia, the barrier having a transparent window and anon-transparent section wherein the indicia may be viewed through thetransparent window of the barrier.
 2. The packaging claimed in claim 1wherein the indicia is randomly printed on the packaging substrate usingrandom coding software.
 3. The packaging claimed in claim 1 wherein thebarrier overlying the indicia is a label membrane provided with printedinformation on the non-transparent section.
 4. The packaging claimed inclaim 3 wherein the printed information is generic and containsinformation regarding competition conditions and/or directions forclaiming a prize.
 5. The packaging claimed in claim 2 wherein theindicia reveals a competition result.
 6. The packaging claimed in claim2 wherein the indicia reveals a code that can be deciphered to indicatea competition result.
 7. The packaging claimed in claim 1 wherein theindicia is printed on the inside of the packaging substrate.
 8. Thepackaging claimed in claim 1 wherein the barrier is tamper evident. 9.The packaging claimed in claim 1 wherein a gift is provided underneaththe barrier.
 10. The packaging claimed in claim 1 wherein a gift isprovided on top of the barrier.
 11. The packaging claimed in claim 10wherein a second barrier overlies the gift.
 12. The packaging claimed inclaim 1 wherein ink used to print the indicia is a fast drying ink. 13.The packaging claimed in claim 1 wherein the barrier is made of plasticsmaterial.
 14. The packaging claimed in claim 13 wherein the barriermaterial is material approved by food authorities for packaging food.15. The packaging claimed in claim 1 wherein the packaging substrate ismade of plastic, paper, metal or a combination of these materials.
 16. Amethod of providing printed indicia on packaging including: printingindicia on a packaging substrate; and overlying indicia with a barrierhaving a transparent window and a non-transparent section, whereby thebarrier is placed over the indicia such that the indicia can be viewedthrough the transparent window on the label.
 17. The method claimed inclaim 16 including printing indicia on the inside of a packagingsubstrate.
 18. The method claimed in claim 17 including adhesivelyapplying the barrier onto the packaging substrate over the indicia. 19.The method claimed in claim 17 whereby the method is performed in onepass.
 20. The method claimed in claim 16 wherein indicia is randomlyprinted on the packaging substrate using random coding software.
 21. Themethod claimed in claim 16 including pre-printing information on thenon-transparent section of the barrier prior to printing indicia on thepackaging.
 22. The method claimed in claim 21 whereby the pre-printedinformation concerns competition details.
 23. The method claimed inclaim 20 wherein the randomly printed indicia reveals a competitionresult or can be deciphered to indicate a competition result.
 24. Themethod claimed in claim 16 further including providing a gift beneaththe label by adhesively applying a gift adjacent to the printed indiciabefore overlying with the barrier.
 25. The method claimed in claim 24wherein the gift is provided using a circular patching unit.
 26. Themethod claimed in claim 25 wherein glue is applied to the substrate suchthat the patching unit dispenses a gift onto the glue to adhesivelyattach the gift to the packaging substrate.
 27. An apparatus forprinting on packaging comprising: a dispensing substrate spool forsupporting a roll of continuous packaging substrate; a take-up substratespool for taking up a web of packaging substrate dispensed from thedispensing spool; guide means between the dispensing spool and take-upspool to guide the web therebetween; printing means to print indiciaonto the substrate; and a label carrier and dispenser for dispensinglabels onto the substrate, the labels having a transparent window and anon-transparent section, wherein the apparatus is timed by use ofsensors to dispense the labels such that the transparent window overliesthe printed indicia.
 28. The apparatus claimed in claim 27 furtherincluding a computer with random coding software to randomly printindicia onto the substrate.
 29. The apparatus claimed in claim 27wherein the label carrier and dispenser is a spool and return plate. 30.The apparatus claimed in claim 27 further including a gift carrier anddispenser provided upstream of the label carrier for dispensing giftsonto the packaging substrate.
 31. The apparatus claimed in claim 30wherein the gift carrier and dispenser is a spool and return plate. 32.The apparatus claimed in claim 30 wherein the gift carrier and dispenseris cartridge and a patching unit.
 33. The apparatus claimed in claim 30wherein a glue applicator is provided upstream of the gift carrier anddispenser.